Underworld 3- The official Thread!

[Darth Elektra]

Underworld 3 shooting in New Zealand!

SCI FI PI visited the new Underworld movie, which is currently being shot in giant warehouses in the outskirts of Auckland and is posting this from a hotel room in the land of the long white cloud.

The prequel to the Underworld movies, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, takes us back in time for swashbuckling mediaeval vampires vs werewolves action.

Directed by famed production designer, Patrick Tatopolous, the film features the return of Michael Sheen as Lucian and Bill Nighy as Viktor, and sees the full appearance of Sonja, Viktor's daughter, vampire lover of werewolf Lucian and cause of all the fuss that is the thousand year war between wolf and bat, played by Rhona Mitra.

We can confirm that the production values of sets and costumes are extremely high, the story is bold and the pedigree is pure, with original director, Len Wiseman producing and writing, and Tatopolous having worked on the first two films.

The sets are immense.

As we get closer to release date we'll publish on-set interviews with all the major cast and crew, alongside pics and vids. As helmer Tatopolous says, it's the 'cousin' of the first two films, with the story focused on the history of the werewolves and their rise from slavery.

Cool things to get excited about are new and sexy vampire armour, Mitra in kickass form, big battles and a bold and brutal style to the film that pays homage to the original flicks, but takes the Underworld saga into new territory.

http://www.scifitv.com.au/Blog/2008/03/Underworld-3-Shooting-In-New-Zealand/

 

[Darth Elektra]

Rhona Mitra to Kick Some Arse in 'Underworld 3'

With Sony Screen Games and Lakeshore Entertainment teaming up once again for a third leather-bound trip to the Underworld, many questions have surfaced, specifically regarding the "quality" of the film. Will it be direct-to-video (we already confirmed no), will it have any major stars (they cast Rhona Mitra) and lastly will it have a big budget? The latter was just confirmed today as a reports came in from the set in New Zealand confirming what we had suspected. Read on for details.

Sci Fi Pi (what the hell is that?) reports, “We can confirm that the production values of sets and costumes are extremely high, the story is bold and the pedigree is pure,” they continue, “The sets are immense… Cool things to get excited about are new and sexy vampire armor, Mitra in kickass form, big battles and a bold and brutal style to the film that pays homage to the original flicks, but takes the Underworld saga into new territory.”

If you checked out DOOMSDAY this past weekend you got to see Mitra in action, and surly she'll be a kickass addition to the third epic battle between the vampires and werewolves.

Directed by Patrick Tatopoulos, the prequel is set in the Dark Ages and traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires and their one-time werewolf slaves, the Lycans.

 

[Darth Elektra]

With production to conclude in Auckland by the Easter celebration this week, the third vampires vs werewolves Underworld feature got Empire into its lair last week for an all-access exploration of what will later be known as Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans.

Apart from getting to meet Underworld regulars and British thespians Bill Nighy (who is pictured in Underworld 1, because Rise Of The Lycans images are still in lockdown) and Michael Sheen (The Queen's Tony Blair), Empire was stoked to wander the huge Underworld sets and see a werewolf mask demonstration. Howl about that? Ahem.

Production designer Dan Hennah was super enthusiastic about the giant walled city built for the film, complete with underground lycan cells, princess' bedroom and grand halls. Impressive.

We can't say too much now, what with our promising that beans wouldn't be spilled before the movie hits cinema stands. But what we can confirm, Underworld lover, is that Kate Beckinsale is NOT part of this prequel. Wait, hold those laments of lost leatherclad catsuits. Boston Legal firecracker Rhona Mitra has stepped into the hot pants as the female lead and, going on the S&Mish get-up Mitra was wandering about in, Underworld fanboys will be in good hands.

Beckinsale's absence isn't the only big shift in the Underworld series, which has secured greater box office receipts than critical kudos. Director Len Wiseman (and Beckinsale's bloke) has also left the building, allowing famed "creature" designer Patrick Tatopoulos to make his directorial debut.

Surprisingly relaxed on the huge main set, Tatopolous (who created creatures for the first Underworlds, as well as Independence Day and I Am Legend) explained that Rise Of The Lycans was a medieval "origins" story about Vampire King Victor (Nighy, who loves wearing his velvet Viktor skirt) and rebellious wolf man Lucian (Sheen, who winkingly compares his character journey with Spartacus).

Mitra is Victor's daughter Sonja who not only falls for slave wolf Lucian, but can also ride, hunt and sword fight like a banshee.

Hoping that she can put the Ripley into Sonja, Mitra - like her esteemed colleagues - were confident that the third Underworld was going to bring the bites, barks and battles. Stay tuned for the full Rise Of The Lycans set visit, coming to Empire Online near you.

 

[Timstuff]

Seeing as this movie is without Kate Beckinsale, and as a prequel will be unable to pick up where Evolution's crazy cliffhanger left off, it's very difficult for me to get excited for it.

 

[DarknessOfDeath]

damn it. I wish kate was in this...

 

[xwolverine2]

i love Rhona Mitra, and she's super muscular and stuff

but kate is just such a better actress.... and more badasslol

 

[Timstuff]

Why exactly did they change direction for #3? I thought that Beckinsale was married to the guy that made them.

 

[04nbod]

i love the underworld movies especially the first one. i like the sense of mythology so this should suit me really well. Saying that though its probably something I'll wait for on DVD

 

[lollycop]

Meh I didnt care so much for part 2.

 

[Darth Elektra]

Why exactly did they change direction for #3? I thought that Beckinsale was married to the guy that made them.

Len and the producers, have been planning a sequel really ever since the first one came out. It's something the filmmakers really believed in.

 

[Darth Elektra]

Update:

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans wrapped up filming over the weekend.

 

[Matt Mortem]

I'm lookin forward to this. I love this lore they've created for the Underworld films. Makes the vampire/werewolf thing more plausable

 

[Darth Elektra]

Sony Screen Gems has locked down January 23, 2009 for Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans, which is being directed by Patrick Tatopolous with Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Shane Brolly, Steven MacKintosh and Kevin Grievoux all starring.

 

[Bastila]

damn it. I wish kate was in this...

Me and you both.

I hope this does well so they do a sequel to Evolution so much, I so want a third in that saga so much, and plus I love Kate in these films so much, so awsome.


So its wrapped up filming cool, so pictures will be up soon?
But I'll see it, they might have links or references to Selene and Micheal, but I hope it does well so we get another one with Kate in it

 

[The Joker_1000]

Well, the people working on these movies supposedly have their plans laid out. All I know is that I want it to go past Underworld 3. I'm sure Kate will return, she seems to really enjoy these movies.

 

[phoenixflight]

Can not wait for this movie. BIG BIG Underworld franchise fan. Love all the characters...would love to see Ameila more!!!

 

[The Joker_1000]

I'm watching the first movie right now, I've yet to see the second movie but I really need to.

Any news on what the third movie would be about?

 

[Eelectro 2]

could somebody please give a detailed description of what the differences are for the first underworld and it's unrated cousin?? i am torn on which one to buy

 

[Gotham]

I'm watching the first movie right now, I've yet to see the second movie but I really need to.

Any news on what the third movie would be about?

The synopsis below:

Spoiler

The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.

As said by IMDb.

 

[Rac]

could somebody please give a detailed description of what the differences are for the first underworld and it's unrated cousin?? i am torn on which one to buy

Just buy the unrated extended.

 

[Golgo-13]

I hope we got a nude shot of Selene this time.

 

[phoenixflight]

I'm watching the first movie right now, I've yet to see the second movie but I really need to.

Any news on what the third movie would be about?

Plot Summary:The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.

THERE IS NO SELENE IN THIS MOVIE

 

[LastSunrise1981]

Plot Summary:The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.

THERE IS NO SELENE IN THIS MOVIE

Selene might get a cameo as a little girl since it's a prequel.

 

[The Joker_1000]

pheonixflight, you make it sound as if I said Selene will be in this movie, I know she's not. I don't really think it matters though, I'm more focused on if she'll be in Underworld 3 and how well they'll pull off the origin of the Lycans.

 

[Nightmare]

I hope we got a nude shot of Selene this time.

THERE IS NO SELENE IN THIS MOVIE